Today at Berkeley Lab nameplate Berkeley Lab
Monday, September 29, 2003
 
Calendar
 
Only 11 Days Until the Runaround

 

Today

4:30 p.m.
Physics Department
Near-Field Optics With Phononic and Plasmonic Materials: From Nano-Lithograhy to Nano-Accelerators
Gennady Shvets, Illinois Institute of Technology
1 LeConte Hall

5 p.m.
Lab Martial Arts Club
Kickboxing/Taekwondo/Karate Training
Bldg. 71

Tomorrow

9:30 a.m.
EHS 604
Hazardous Waste Generator
Bldg. 51-201

11 a.m.
EHS 622
Radioactive and Mixed Waste Generator
Bldg. 51-201

1:15 p.m.
EHS 735/738/739
Biosafety/Bloodborne Pathogen
Bldg. 51-201

 
Cafeteria
 
Market Carvery: TBA
Fresh Grille: TBA
Menutainment: TBA
Dinner: TBA
B'fast: 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5 - 7 p.m.
 
 

2004 Medical Premiums
To Increase About 15%

A University of California memo to employees indicates that due to increased costs in the health insurance industry, monthly medical premiums will increase on average by 15 percent in 2004. UC is not canceling any plans or raising employee costs for co-pays and deductibles. UC will also continue to provide dental and vision coverage, and basic life and disability insurance at no cost to employees. This year, UC will help protect employees in lower salary ranges from the impact of the increases with a salary-based employee contribution structure. The new 2004 rates and the University’s explanatory memo can be seen here.

 
People


Meza Co-Chairs Computing
Diversity Conference

Meza

Registration is now open for the 2003 Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference on Oct. 15 - 18 in Atlanta, Ga. This year’s conference will highlight creative, innovative, and original research and applications of computing. Juan Meza, head of the Lab’s High Performance Computing Research Department, is co-chair of the conference and the Lab is a Bronze sponsor through the Work Force Diversity Office. Go here to learn more about the conference.

 
Announcements

Community Offers Input
on Campus’s LRDP

More than 125 Berkeley residents came last Monday night to share their thoughts, concerns and suggestions on the long-range growth and development of UC Berkeley. Earlier this month, university officials invited the public to participate in the meeting and comment on the scope of issues to be addressed in a new Long Range Development Plan and Environmental Impact Report. Go here to read Janet Gilmore’s UC Berkeley press release. Go here to read the campus’s Notice of Preparation.

World of Science
Homeland Security R&D
To Rise 68 % Next Year

If Congress, as expected, approves legislation that provides the Department of Homeland Security with over $1 billion in FY04, research institutions across the country will have an opportunity to participate in R&D funding that will be up 68 percent from current levels. An analysis of the Department's new R&D portfolio, which includes $874 million in research funding, has been completed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and can be read here.

 


Centers Tighten Security
After Chiron Bombing
By Peter Delevett

Chiron’s office
in Emeryville

Dr. Linda Cork was driving to the airport when she heard animal-rights activists had bombed Emeryville-based Chiron. Cork, who oversees animal research at Stanford, placed three quick calls: offering help to Chiron, reviewing security at the buildings where Stanford's research animals are housed, and warning her communications staff to expect questions. Then, she caught her plane. That mix of preparation and pragmatism is typical among scientists who work with animals amid increasingly hostile attitudes. Many Bay Area research centers say they haven't tightened security since the Aug. 28 Chiron bombing. But nobody's blasé, either. Full story.

Policy Update


Proposed Policy Change:
Domestic Partners

The Laboratory proposes to modify its human resources policy RPM 2.01(E)(2) (Employment of Near Relatives) by adding same and opposite sex domestic partners to both the policy title and language. In addition, clarifying language has been added to the approval process. The proposed changes may be viewed here. Those who wish to comment on these changes must e-mail or write Mary Bishop, HR Policies Analyst, at MS 937R0600 or [email protected] by Oct. 28.

WEATHER

Morning fog, low clouds.
Highs mid-70s.

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Extended Forecast

SECURITY CONDITION

SECON level 3

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More Information

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